Northwest Florida projects get priority in budget

Sen. Don Gaetz

Associated Press

By News Bulletin staff

Published: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 11:55 AM.

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, which last year took on sole responsibility of mental health crisis management in Okaloosa County, has received $1 million from the state to bolster its crisis stabilization unit.

The project is one of hundreds secured for Northwest Florida this year during the legislative session.

Almost $2 billion flowed west from Tallahassee this year to positively affect the region, outgoing state Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said.

Among projects that made the cut was $3.8 million to dredge the East Pass at Destin Harbor, $79,890 for the Northwest Florida Ballet and $60,174 for the Sinfonia symphony organization.

Gaetz said he helped secure $125,000 to construct the Bud and Doris Day Patriots Trail in Okaloosa County and $150,000 for the county’s Veterans Court initiative.

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Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, which last year took on sole responsibility of mental health crisis management in Okaloosa County, has received $1 million from the state to bolster its crisis stabilization unit.

The project is one of hundreds secured for Northwest Florida this year during the legislative session.

Almost $2 billion flowed west from Tallahassee this year to positively affect the region, outgoing state Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said.

Among projects that made the cut was $3.8 million to dredge the East Pass at Destin Harbor, $79,890 for the Northwest Florida Ballet and $60,174 for the Sinfonia symphony organization.

Gaetz said he helped secure $125,000 to construct the Bud and Doris Day Patriots Trail in Okaloosa County and $150,000 for the county’s Veterans Court initiative.